This simple diet could protect against blood cancer 🍽️

Could nutrition play a role in the fight against blood cancer? A recent study highlights the impact of a high-fiber diet on the progression of multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow. While targeted treatments are under development, a simple dietary change could prove promising.


Multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer after lymphomas, generally progresses from precancerous conditions. Researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center studied the effect of a specific diet on at-risk patients with precancerous blood disorders. According to the results presented at the 2024 American Society of Hematology congress, such a diet could slow disease progression.

The study involved 20 individuals with a high body mass index who had precancerous blood disorders. Over 12 weeks, participants followed a plant-based, high-fiber diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. This approach was paired with 24 weeks of nutritional monitoring.

The results are encouraging: two patients whose disease was progressing before the study experienced a slowdown in its progression. One year later, none of the participants had developed multiple myeloma. On average, participants lost 8% of their body weight within 12 weeks. Dr. Urvi Shah, who led the study, highlighted the beneficial effects of this diet on the microbiome and metabolism, thereby strengthening the immune system.

In addition to the immediate health benefits for participants, this study sheds light on key factors of the disease. Multiple myeloma is often preceded by abnormalities in plasma cells, a type of immune cell. Poor diet, obesity, or low consumption of plant-based foods increase the risk of developing this cancer. The studied diet, rich in fiber and plant-based foods, seems to reverse this trend.

The researchers also conducted a parallel study on mice with latent myeloma. The results were similarly positive: 56% of the mice fed a high-fiber diet saw the disease progress to myeloma, compared to 100% in the control group.

Building on these results, a new phase of the study has been launched, this time involving 150 participants. The aim is to further explore these findings and confirm the effects of a specific diet on blood cancer progression. If these studies prove successful, they could pave the way for an innovative preventive strategy.

Thus, this nutritional program could serve as a non-invasive method to slow the progression of multiple myeloma. If diet plays a central role in prevention, it would complement traditional medical treatments, offering a new perspective in the fight against this formidable cancer.

These advancements provide an innovative view of myeloma treatments, showcasing the importance of diet in managing the disease. Future clinical trials could validate this nutritional approach and expand its application to other types of cancer.

The researchers emphasize that if this approach proves effective, it could become a cornerstone of patient care alongside current treatments. Prevention through nutrition could thus transform how we approach this disease.